A partnership



Aug. 31, 192s. 1,598,256

A. PERSUN BRACELET CHAIN Filed March 2l l 1924 ug. 3l, i926.

unirse starrt earner erstes,

AXEL PERSON, OF ATTLEBORO, BEASEAGHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HARVEY CLAJ? CO., OF AT'Filiali-lil?,03363"S lr'woiiCI'USETiS, A PARTNERSHIP.

BRACELET CHAIN.

Application led ich 21, 1924 Serial No. 700,748.

'.lhis invention relates to bracelet chain stantially along the line 7 7 ot' Figure 6, construction. t and i 50 @ne of the objects of this invention is Figi/'ure 8 is a plan view of a chain-link to provide a bracelet chain ot' durable and in one stage of its manufacture.

rue-eed construction and Well adapted to Similar reierence characters referto simimeet the conditions of hard, practical use. lar parte throughout the several views of Another object is to provide a construction the drawing. ot the above-inentifmed nature which Will be As conducive to a clearer understanding ot eflicient and thoroughly reliable action oit this invention it may here be pointed out when in use. This invention aims also to that 'a dominant. aim oi this invention is to provide a bracelet chain which Will be not provide a bracelet chain, the exposed seconly ot simple and thoroughly practical contions or links thereot1 having a solid or 60 struction, thus lending; itselt to rapid and bloclelilte appearance. These exposed blockinexpensive manufacture, but also of neat lile members may be ornamented in any deand attractive appearance. of great eom'ior ,aired manner to `give the bracelet chain the .vl ln in use, and o.; great durability. Other `lesi red attractive appearance. Braceletob ts will be in part obvious or in part chains in general are of relatively minute 65 pointed out hereinafter. construction and hence are none too Well The invention accordingly consists in the adapted to meet even the ordinary conditentures ot construction, combinations oi tions oit practical use. They must be not elemeuts.y arrangements ot' parts, and in the only suliiciently strong' to perform reliably several steps and relation and order of each their normal or intended functions but also 70 oli the same to one or more oi the others, sut'fiently rugged to withstand abnormal all as will be illustrativelydescribed herein, st ainsi inadvertently imposed upon them. and the scope of the application ot which The relatively diminutive character oi such will. be indicated in the following claims bracelet chains thus oftentimes precludes In the accompanying drawingv in which the avoidinga of such disadvantages simul- 75 is shown one of various possible embodiments taneousl'v With the attainment of ineXpen` oi the several mechanical features oit this insive or economical manutactur Accordfm vention, ingrly;i this invention aims to combine `in a Figure l is a top plan view of a portion thoroughly practical Way the advantages ot ot af bracelet. chain, certain parts being rapid and inexpensive manufacture with S0 omitted in orner to show the construction the advantages of strength. rugfredness and more clearly. durability of construction. Figure 2 is a bottom plan vievv of the con- Referring now to the drawing in detail, struction shown in Figure l. and more particularly to Figures l, 2 and Figure 3 is a side view as seen from the L there is shown a series of members 1.0 85 front ot' Figure l. iv ich will hereinafter be termed chain-links.

Figure 4t is a central longitudinal cross- Fach chain-linlr l() is preferably made oi 10 section taken substantially along the line sheet metal and is preliminarily stamped or lfm-4s oit Figure l. cut in the shape or term shown in Figure Fin-ure 5 is a central transverse sectional 8. The sheet metal out of which the chainvieiv'taken substantially along the line link 10 is made is a base metal and the oi Figure 1. character of the latter may be so chosen as Figure 6 is a side view of what may be to give to the chain-links the desired termed a block-link, shovvinzgr this blocltstrength. Preferably the chain-link l() is link in one stage of its manufacture. made oi brass.

Figure 'T .is a sectional vieu7 taken sub- Referring now more specifically to Figure 8, in which is shown the stamping out of which each chain-link l() is made, it will be seen that the sheet metal is in general of a rectangular shape, has an opening 10a, also of rectangular shape, stamped or out out at one end of the sheet metal, and at the opposite end of the strip of sheet metal, the latter is cut away at opposite lateral portions thereof, as at l()b and 10c. rlhere is thurs formed at the one end of the sheet metal strip, or at the right-hand end thereof as viewed in Figure 8, a substantially T-shaped portion 10ft The strip of sheet metal having thus preliminarily been stamped or cut to give it substantially the form shown in Figure 8, the opposite end portions are thereupon bent over to form what may be termedconnecting loops. The left-hand portion of the member l0, referring still to Figure 8, is bent over a suitable mandrel, the axis about which this left-hand end portion is bent being indicated generally by the line A-A of Figure 8. Similarly, the right-- hand portion of the sheet metal strip is bent over` a suitable mandrel and, like the lefthand portion, is bent substantially backwardly upon itself. The ,axis about which the T-shaped right-hand end portion of the sheet metalr strip, referring still to Figure 8, is bent is indicated generally by the line B-B In Figures 3 and 4L, the completely bientover endportions are clearly indicated. The member-10(1 will be seen to form a connecting loop, 4indicated also at l0 in these ligures, whereas thebent-over left-hand portion will be seen to have formed two spaced connecting loops 10e and 10i, more clearly shown in Figure l of the drawing. Bearing in mind that these end p ortions of the sheet metal stamping'have been bent over a cylindrical mandrel, it will be noted that each of the connecting loops 10, l()0 and lOf thus formed is thus provided with an interior bearing surface which is substantially cylindrical throughout the extent of each loop. The connecting loop 10d; of one link is thereupon litt-ed between the spaced connecting loops lOe and lOf' of a succeeding loop, thus placing in alignment the cylindricalV bearing surfaces upon the interior of these connect- ,ing loops. A stud l1, of' cylindrical shape, is thereupon passed through the aligned loops 10, l0d and 10E, thus pivotally connecting` one c ,hain link to the next. At this point it might be noted that the connection thus provided between adjacent links is-of the greatest possible degree of' flexibility, inasmuch as the parts, pivoting one from the other, are provided withcnot only ,cylindrical piv'oting studs 1l but also with cylindircal bearing surfaces with which the studs 11 may efficiently eoact. The inandrels about which' the end portions of the chain-link blank are bent are preferably of substantially the saine diameter as are the pivoting studs ll. lf desired, the end portions of the chain-link blank may be given a preliminary bend, and thereupon a final bend over the connect-ing studs ll themselves.

Turni now again to Figure 8 of the drawing, it will be noted that the extreme end portions of the, chain-link blank comprise what may be termed a cross-bar l0Z at one end thereof and a cross-bar l0 at the other end thereof. frs the end portions of the cl iin-link blank are finally bent backwardly upon the main or central portion of the chain-link blank, these cross-bars l()g and 10h will assume the positions shown in l, it being noted that the end portions are bent over upon the same side of the main or central portion of the chain-link blank.

Tte block-linge sheet metal are preferably also of 35 sirably are ina 'le of a 4-1- ,.4. .I ene exterior surface whicn is p` sarable precious metal. hus, the exterior porti n the sheet lated or prefele... l, stantially reci plate nier generally indicated at in, the length of which in the direction in which the chain is to extend substantially equivalent to distance between the aries of two successive connect-ine studs Al1. This will be clear from a consideration of Figure il. 'llie i, l te inember 12 is provided'with two depen( ing side walls l2 'and lill (see Figure T, integrally formed therewith. rllhe side walls lh and 12b are `spaced apart from one another sufficiently so as to snugly receive therebetween one of the chain-links lO. Thus, for es:- ainple, the chain having been coinpletel by connecting the chain-links l0 together through the connecting studs ll, a blocklink l2 is superimposed upon each chainlink l0, the latter being sniigly` received between the spaced side walls lQH and 12b of the sheet metal block-link l2.

The end edges of the side walls l2" and l2", as viewed in both Figures 3 and 6, are extended downwardly in Ysubstantially j arallel relation one to another and to such a distance that these parallel side edges terminate substantially at mid-point ofthe circular end face ofthe connecting studs ll. rlhereupon the side edges are extended inwardly toward one another as at 12C (see Figure 6)', whence the side walls 12a and 12b are then further extended to provide the end flanges 12d and 120. The latter, as is clearly shown in Figure 6, have substantially parallel end edges, the distance between which is snbstantially equivalent to the length of the plane portion of a chain-link l0. Prefer- 1 bleek-link may be @old-p ilo ably the flanged portions l2 and 12C are undercut, as clearly shown in Figure 7, so to malte these end flanges 12b and i2" of soineivhat lesser thickness than the thiol;- ness of the sheet instal out of which the blot-,l 'nlr is foi-ined. ily nialring these end s J'f and lll l ers, a 'tact constrn achieved, it i al, as shown also in tlligures il a d 4i, tin l lisse ond flanges of reduced thic` when bent inwardly upon the chaia-linl ,s 3- stautially snugly fit between the spaced con nel. 'ng loops lOl of successive linlrs l) and thus are inade to lie substantially 'Within the outer plane pa, el through the outermost points of these connectingl loops. liforeover, a niore unifornii and continuous surface of contact to the Wrist, for example, is thus presented. in lligure also .is indicati l covering lili of precious instal, either i' or plated, upon the exterior surface or 'tno block-link lill.

The block-link l2,` having been superimposed upon a chain-link l0, the latter being` received between the side Walls 12a and 12b, the flanges 12d and 12e are thereupon bent -inwardly toward one another and into substantially the position shown in 1figure 5. It Will be noted that the block-link l2 is superin'iposed upon a chain-link l0 in such manner that the end eros l oars 10S and l0 of the chain-link Will be adjacent the niain plate member' 12 of the block-link, as is shown in Figure t. The end flanges l2 and lia?, upon being bent inwardly sho-svn in Figure 5, securely clainp the blocl; linl; l2 to the chainlinl l0, and at the saine tinie securely lock the end cross-bars 10g and lOl* in position and against any possibility of being pulled out or distorted. The clainping` flanges l2 and 12, havinga length in the direction in which the chain extends which is substantially equivalent to the plane portion or surface of the underside of a chain-link l0, substantially inate therewith and ht between successive loops of the chainlinks. The block-link l2 is thus prevented from partalring of any movement relative to the chain-linlr 10 in the direction of the len `ath of the chain.

Turning now to Figure 3, it Will be seen that the side Walls 12"L and 12" of thebloclrlint'. overlap the exposed ends of the pivoting studs 1l, and thus prevent the dropping out of the coniu-:cting,studs ll.. The latter, it will further he noted, need not be headed over, soldered, or otherwise secured With rcspect to the ehaindinlrs 10. It Will also be noted that the parallel end edges of the side Walls l2 and 12b terminate substantially at the ares of the pivoting studs 11, whence, as hereinabove described, they extend inwardly toward each other as at 12C (Figure 3 and Figure G). The fle/Xing of the brace-- let chain is thus unhainpered and may freely take place, it being further pointed out tl it the connecting studs 11 with the associated connecting loops of the chain-links prol vide lnt'ust efficient cylindrical bearing surfaces for permitting ready flexing of the bracelet chain to take place. Moreover, the chain-link construction and the inanner ot connecting the chain-links together, in providing in effect the inost practical forni of hinged construction, insure the maintenance of the lnocl--links in longitudinal alignment by avoiding lateral or angular' displacement or play between adjacent links.

rlhe bent-over side flanges 1Q and 12e (Figure 5), aside from effectively locking the various parts in assembled relation, moreover, Where the exterior surface of the bloclr-linlt l2 is filled or plated `with a precious metal, as is shown in Figures 5 and 7, provide a precious rnetal under-surface for exposure to or contact with the skin, the base metal portion of these flanges provid` ing suflicient strength for effectively clamping and locking the parts together mechanically.

lit will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a bracelet chain construction and method of nialring the saine in which the several objects hereinbefore noted as Well as inany thoroughly practical advantages are achieved. It may first be noted that the inethod herein provided may be inexpensively, rapidly and economically carried on. The individual parts are of simple construction, and thus lend theniselves the par tively as illy to inni-:pensive inanufaetiu'e; l nioreover niay be rapidly but eilece unbled, it being` pointed out that such tedious and expensive operations as soldering for example inay be effectively avoided. Moreover, the bracelet chain is of exceedingly rugged construction, it beingl noted that the construction is suflicienthT ru;` 1 to rncet not only the conditions of ordinary use but also conditions of abnornaal use not infrequently imposed upon devices of this character. The construction is Well adapted to ineet unusual strains iinposed upon it, inasmuch as the effective connesting portions thereof are securely locked in position and against distortion. More over it will be seen that all of these thoroughly practical .advantages are achieved Without detracting from the feasibility of attaining both rapid and inexpensive inanufacture.

its many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein describen might be varied in various parts, all with out departing from the scope of the invon tion, it is to be understood that all matte'.l herein set forth or shown in the accompanying. drawing is to be; interpreted as illus;- trative and notyin a limiting sense.,

I claim as my invention:

l. In construction tor `bracelet ychains and the like, in combination, a chain having sheet metal links, an end ot each ,ot which4 is bent over substantially upon itsel'f to. torni a connecting loop, a plate-likev member mounted upon each link, and means rigidly clamping together the bent-over end of a sheet meta-l link member and said platerlike member.

2. In construction for bracelet cha-ins and the like, in combination, a chain having sheet metal links, an end of each of which is bent over upon itself to form a connect,- ing loop, and4 a plate-like member' tor each link and having depending side walls between which a link of said chain is received, the ends of said side walls being bent over to clamp rigidlyA a link therebetween and said plate member and to clam-pl said? bent over ends of said links against unbending.

3. In construction for bracelet chains and the like, in combination, a chain having sheet metal links, an end of each of which is bent over upon itself tov form Aa connecting loop, connecting studs passing through connecting loops of adjacent links, and a plate member mounted upon each link, said plate member havingA depending means adapted to overlap the ends of' said studs to hold them in position. y

4f. In construction for bracelet chains and the like, in combination, a chain havingsheet metal links a-n end of each of which is bent over upon itself to form a connecting loop, connecting studs passing through connecting loops of adjacent links, and a plate mem# her for each link and having dependingside walls extending over the ends of the studs to hold the latter in postion, the extremeend portions oit' said side walls being bent inwardly upon a link to hold said plate member upon said link.

5., In .construction for bracelet chains and the like. in combination, a chain comprising a plurality ot links each havingV two spaced ectinc loops at one end and a centrally posfdionecV connecting loop at thev other end, said last-mentioned loop being arranged to be received between theA two spaced loops ot an adjacent link, a connecting stud passed through aligned connecting` loops of adjacent links, a plate member for each link and having a length in the direction ot the length of the chain substantially equivalent to the distance between the axes of adjacent studs, and means for securing` said plate member to a link.

6. In construction Jfor bracelet chains and the like.v in combination, a chain comprising a plurality of links each having twio spaced. connecting loops at one end and a centrally positioned connecting loop at the other end,

assenso said last-mentioned toop bei-ng arranged to be received between the two spaced loops of an adjacent link, a .connecting studl passed through aligned .connecting loops oit adjacent links, and a plate member secured to each link and having depending portions adapted to overlap the ends of said connota ing studs to hold the latter in position.

7. In construction'for bracelet chains and the like, in combination, a chain compri g a plurality ot links each lia-ving two spaced connecting oops at one end and a centrally positionedl connecting loop at the other end, said last-mentioned loop being arranged to be received between the two spaced loops ot an adjacent link, a connecting stud passer, through aligned connecting loops ot adjacen-t links, and a plate mem-ber for each link, having a length substantially equivalent to the distance between the axes of adacent studs, said plate member having depending side flanges between which a link is received and said flanges being bent over upon the link to hold said plate member in assembled rel-a ion with respect thereto.

8. In construLti-on Jfor bracelet chains yand the like, in combination, a cha-in having plurality oiV sheet metall lin-ks each provided with two spaced connecting loops at one end and' a centrally positioned connectingV loop at the other end thereof, each of said loops being formedv bending over end por,- tion of the sheet metal of the li ik, connect..- ing studs passed through aligned connecting loops of adjacent links, a plate member tor each link, having a length substantially equivalent to the distance between the axes of adjacent connecting studs, and means tor simultaneously securing said plate mcnil upon a link and holding said bent-over le forming portions in position.

9. In construction for bracelet chains and the like, in combination, a chain having-f a plurality of sheetA nic-tal links each prot7 l if with two spaced connecting loops at one and a centrally positioned connecting loop at the other end. thereof, each ot sait lcops being 'formed by bending ,over an end portion of the sheet Ametal ot the lli/nk, connecting studs passed through aligned connecting loops ,ot adjacent links. a `pla-tze member for each link, having a length substantially er-juivalentV to the distance between the aires of adjacent connecting studs, and depending side anges on said plate member and between which a link is received, said side flanges being bent over to hold. said plt member in position and to lock said bentover loop-forming portions of the link against unbending.

10. In construction forbracelet chains and the like, in combination, a chain havingl a plurality of sheet metal links each provided with two spaced connecting loops lat one end and a centrally positioned connecting loop ier at the other end thereof, each of said loops being foi-med by bending over an end poi'- tion of the sheet metal of the link, connect ing studs passed through aligned Connecting loops of adjacent links, a plate member for each link, having a length substantially equivalent to the distance between the axes of adjacent connecting studs, and depending side flanges on said plate member adapt- 10 ed to overlap the ends of said connecting studs to hold the latter in position within said connecting loops, said side flanges being bent over to hold said plate member in position and to lock said leent-ovei` loop-forming portions of the link against unbending.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this fourteenth day of March, A. D. 1924.

AXEL PERSON. 

